Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are estimated to cause over 80 percent of premature deaths around the world. The global discourse recognizes the heavy toll of NCDs and calls for prioritizing them. Indeed, the countries of the world have committed themselves to the time bound target (from 2015 to 2030) of reducing, by one third, the premature deaths from NCDs and achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG) of health and wellbeing for all. In addition to the global political commitment, the knowledge base on the determinants of NCDs is generally adequate and a number of evidence based policies and programs have already been identified.

This section highlights issues related to NCDs inequities, their social determinants and policy responses to them.